Tip – What Locations Do Mexico’s Expats Normally Live In?

Like most Americans or Canadians, you’ll probably start your search for Mexico real estate online.  Looking online, with pictures and videos, you can generally get a good feel for what the property is like – with pictures, videos, etc. -  but what about the community?

Even with the community, you can “look” at it Google Street View (integrated into each of our listings) but for many buyers it’s important to know that there will be some other expats (residents from the U.S. or Canada) around.  Having Mexican neighbors is nice, but especially for the process of getting used to a new place, most of use would like a few neighbors from back home.

The following are a few points for you to keep in mind:

1. Work with the right Mexico agent

This is the most important point.  If you’ve chosen the right agent, and clearly explained your expectations, he will not present you with properties that are not within or very close to your criteria.  But of course, it’s nice to have an idea for yourself.

2. What’s Your Region’s Expat Situation?

There are some regions where any given resident will probably know most of the other expats. In this case, you will probably be more interested to know where they hang out, since it is unlikely that they all live next to each other.

On the other hand, in places like Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Puerto Vallarta, there are large numbers of expats, with some estimates claiming upwards of 50,000.  Additionally, in these locations, so many tourists come and go that you are bound to see Americans and Canadians around most of the time.  A simple Google search will pull up articles that give a quick idea of whether your region is a main expat destination or not.

3. Consider the “Prime Location” in Your Region

In the case of a larger expat community, most will usually be concentrated at whatever the “main attraction” is – near the beachfront, in the colonial city center, etc.

Notice that there are some exceptions.  For example, while the lakefront is the main attraction in Lake Chapala, most expats buy properties back from the lake; the reason is that these are further up on the hillside and offer better views.

Choosing a location accordingly will pretty much guarantee that you’ll be living near most other expats.

(continued tomorrow …)

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Thomas Lloyd graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 16 years. In the summer of 2009, he received the first federally applied Mexico Real Estate Degree and Mexico Professional Real Estate License S.E.P. #5978657. He is the president of Top Mexico Real Estate. Contact him at (512) 879-6546.

The TOP Mexico Real Estate Network; “Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!”